Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs uga bulldogs (-3)
georgia comes into this game on the road as a 3-point favorite with a backup QB who's missing his co-#1 RB and top 2 WR's -- just in case you were wondering what the world thinks of Georgia Tech. We all know the track record, but somehow I see this being the year where Tech comes away with a win. All of the injuries uga has had, plus an average defense supporting them, plus a much-improved Tech defense, and I think this is the one Tech wins. It should be close, but in any case the Jackets pull off the win.
Yellow Jackets cover 3 and win straight up.
Miami Hurricanes (-1) @ Pittsburgh Panthers
It's becoming very clear that Miami is not the same team without Duke Johnson. Since losing Johnson against Florida State, the Hurricanes have lost 3 of 4, with the only win coming against the miserable Virginia Cavaliers. Pitt hasn't had the best run this season, but they've played a lot of teams tough and even beat Notre Dame a couple of weeks ago. I think this one turns out favorably for Georgia Tech as well.
Panthers cover 1 and win straight up.
(2) Florida State Seminoles (-27.5) @ Florida Gators
So the undefeated #2 team in the country, whose closest win this year was by 2 touchdowns (@ Boston College), comes into the Swamp, the scene of last week's crime where the bowl-ineligible Gators lost to FCS Georgia Southern. Who in their right minds set such an easy line?
Seminoles cover 27.5.
(24) Duke Blue Devils @ North Carolina Tar Heels (-6)
Yes, you saw that right: Duke is ranked. (Notice also the recent cold weather, which may have originated in Hell.) You also saw that they're a six-point underdog to a team with three more losses than they have. However, Duke's win last year was only their second in this series since Georgia Tech won a national championship, and it was by 3 at home. I think they've benefitted this year from something of a "perfect storm" (an injured Miami team, and an inconsistent Virginia Tech team). I think North Carolina wins a close one here to knock the Blue Devils out of ACC Championship contention.
Blue Devils cover 6, but the Tar Heels win straight up.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons @ Vanderbilt Commodores (-14)
ACC-SEC CRIPPLE FIGHT! Two teams here who have a combined one "good win", and are a combined 11-11. That said, they're playing at Vanderbilt and the Commodores appear to be the better team anyways. 14 is a big line, but Wake is a pretty bad team.
Commodores cover 14.
Maryland Terrapins (-2.5) @ NC State Wolfpack
ACC CRIPPLE FIGHT!!! Maryland started 4-0 and has since gotten supremely lucky to win 2 games for bowl eligibility (Virginia on a missed field goal, and Virginia Tech in overtime). NC State has won 3 games all year and is looking to polish off a perfect 0-8 conference record. It might be a really ugly game in Raleigh.
Terps cover 2.5.
Boston College Eagles (-2.5) @ Syracuse Orange
Boston College comes in at an amazing 7-4 behind the mighty Andre Williams, while Syracuse comes in at 5-6, desperate for a sixth win that will extend their season. The Orange have been unpredictable at times this season, completely laying eggs against teams they should beat and winning games against teams they shouldn't. I think they win this game not because they're better, but because they HAVE to and they're playing at home.
Orange cover 2.5 and win straight up.
Virginia Tech Hokies (-12.5) @ Virginia Cavaliers
To review, by the time this game kicks off, two of the three things that need to happen for Tech to go to Charlotte will have happened (Miami will lose to Pitt, Duke will lose to UNC). The problem will come into play here, where the Hokies have not lost to the Cavaliers in a decade, and the Hoos are a bit of a disaster this year with 8 straight losses since starting the season 2-1. The Hokies have had a rough go of it in recent weeks, losing 3 of 4 to Duke, Boston College, and Maryland, but I don't see it continuing. Hokies win by 7-10 here and make it to Charlotte.
Cavaliers cover 12.5, Hokies win straight up.